Can clamp or similar device



May 19, 1942. AQH. KREILING CAN CLAMP OR SIMILAR DEVICE 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Nov. 2, 1940 m 5 m4 Wm Wm m MM. u. W w

May 19, 1942. A. H. KREILING I pm CLAMP 0R SIMILAR DEVICE Filed Nov. 2, 1940 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 10411.57 if flies/0mg M flrrax/ma Patented May 19, 1942 CAN CLAMP OR SIMILAR DEVICE August H. Kreiling, Chicago, Ill.. assignor to Ferriss Pharmacal Company, Inc., a corporation of Illinois Application November 2,1940, Serial No. 364,099

9 Claims.

My invention relates to clamping devices and more particularly to a clamping device for use with containers for ice cream or similar products which containers are ordinarily set in a cabinet or well and the ice cream or other products is removed in individual scoops or measures.

One of the problems which confronts users of these containers in dipping or scooping out the contents is when the containers are loosely positioned in the cabinet and movearound while the user'is clipping or scooping out an individual measure of the material. Particularly is this true with round containers which tend to turn or spin and. consequently, time and money is lost through inefficient dispensing.

The principal object of the present invention is to provide an improved clamping device for the purpose described.

A further object is to provide an improved canclamp that is easily and quickly applied to cans or removed from the same.

A further object is to provide an improved clamping device of the type described that is adjustable over a given range to hold cans or containers regardless of their exact location with reference to the cabinet wall.

A further object is to provide an improved clamping device having cam-actuated means for effecting quick clamping or releasing action to the can gripping members.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved device of the class described that is easily and simply constructed, yet sturdy and long lasting and one that will not become broken or out of order during normal usage.

Other objects and advantages will more apparent from the following description wherein reference is had to the accompanying two sheets of drawings upon which Fig. 1 is a front perspective view with my improved clamping device in use in connection with a pair of cylindrical containers shown in the usual type well or dispensing cabinet. Fig. 2 is a plan view thereof. Fig. 3 is a vertical sectional view thereof taken on the line 3-3 of Fig 2 and Fig. 4 is a plan view of a modified form of the invention showing the clamping means used between a plurality of cylindrical containers.

In the embodiment of the invention which I have chosen to illustrate, in Fig. 1 I have shown the usual type well or dispensing cabinet l that is found in the average drug or delicatessen store or wherever products such as ice cream are dispensed and sold. Ice cream containers such as the cylindrical cans I2 and I4 may be set into the well l0 and my improved clamp l6 may be applied with the pad l8 pressing against a wall 20 of the cabinet and the opposite sides of the cans l2 and I4 pressin against the wall 22 of the cabinet.

As more clearly shown in Figs. 2 and 3 in. the construction of my improved clamp member, I provide a bracket 24 formed with a, middle flattened portion and a pair of arcuate sectors 26 and 28, each ofthe sectors 26 and 28 being provided with a rubber or other suitable pad member 30 secured to the inner side thereof to assist in preventing slipping of the cans. I8 is likewise provided with a facing 32 of serrated rubber or similar material to assist in preventing'slippage of the clamp when in position.

I provide a bracket member 34 formed with the downwardly extending wall portion 36, an

upper wall 38, and a. pair of upstanding side wing members 40. The bracket 34 may b rigidly secured to the flattened portion of the bracket 24 and may include as a part of such fastening means a collar member 42 having a reduced thimble portion 44 which extends through an is peaned over to fasten the same in position.

The collar 42 is provided with an axial bore 48 toslidably receive a rod member 48. The rod #8 is provided at one end with a collar 50 held in position by the screw member 52. The compression spring 54 is for a purpose to be hereinafter described and is positioned between the bracket 24 and the collar 50, normally urging the rod in a direction toward the left, as shown in Fig. 3.

I provide a shoulder portion 56 at the opposite end of rod 48 for engagement with a pair of finger members 58 at the lower end of a pivoted lever 60 that is mounted upon the pin 62 secured through the wing members 40 of the bracket 36. Means for moving the lever fill to urge the rod 48 to the right against the tension of spring 54 are provided and may include the cam shaped plate 64 welded or otherwise connected adjacent the lower end of rod IS. The rod [6 may be mounted for rotation in a horizontal opening 68 in the top wall 38 of bracket 34 with a suitable collar Ill beneath the wall to hold the rod and permit rotation of the same. The rod l6 may extend upwardly a desired distance and be formed with the rectangularly shaped handle portion 66.

The pad l8, as previously mentioned, is rigidly connected to a screw-threaded bolt member 12 which engages in the tapped axial opening 14 in the rod 48. A lock nut 16 is mounted on the bolt 12 for the purpose of fastening the pad a desired distance from the abutment 56 on the rod 48- As thus described, when it is desired to use my improved can clamp, the position of the pad l8 with regard to the end of the rod 58 can be approximately adjusted, the can clamp placed in a position such as that shown in Fig. 1 with the arcuate strap members engaging the cans I2 and It. By rotating the handle l6 and moving the cam plate 64 which bears against the pivoted lever 60, the can clamp is rigidly fastened between The pad member the cans and a side wall such as the wall of the well ill.

In Fig. 4 I have shown a modified form of the invention wherein th mechanism for separating the gripping members is identical to that shown in Figs. 1 to 3, but in place of the pad i8, I have provided a bracket member 24a equipped with a pair of arcuate arm members 26a and 280. This construction, as is apparent, can be used between a plurality of cans to' space the same apart and rigidly press them against the side walls of a larger well or cabinet.

While I have shown the gripping members as arcuate for use with cylindrical containers, it is of course obvious that they may be of any desired configuration to be applied to cans or containers of any desired shape.

While I have illustrated and described a specific embodiment of the invention, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that changes and modifications may be made in the various details of construction, and I do not wish to limit myself in any particular; rather what I desire to secure and protect by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. A clamp of the type described comprising a bracket having a pair of gripping members adapted to be positioned against a stationary object to prevent the same from being moved, a

rod member disposed between said gripping members, a pad on the end of said rod member and means for moving said rod and pad outwardly against a wall for frictionally holding the clamp in fixed position.

2. A clamp of the type described comprising a bracket having a pair of arcuate gripping members adapted to be positioned against a stationary object to prevent the same from being moved, rubber pads secured to the faces of said gripping members, a rod member disposed between said gripping members, a pad on the end of said rod member and means for moving said rod and pad outwardly against a wall, said means including a handle, a cam member and a pivoted lever adapted to bear against a portion of said rod for frictionally holding the clamp between the stationary object and a wall in a fixed position.

3. A clamp of the type described adapted to be positioned between a wall and a stationary object to prevent the same from being moved comprising a bracket having a fiat medial portion and a pair of arcuate gripping members upon opposite sides thereof, a slidable rod member mounted in the medial portion of said bracket and extending at right angles thereto, a disclike pad on the end of said rod member, means for moving said rod and pad outwardly against a wall and spring means for returning the same to its original position.

4. A clamp of the type described adapted to be positioned between a wall and a stationary object to prevent the same from being moved comprising a bracket having a fiat medial portion and a pair of arcuate gripping members upon opposite sides thereof, a slidable rod member mounted in the medial portion of said bracket and extending at right angles thereto, a disclike pad on the end of said rod member, means for moving said rod and pad outwardly against a wall and spring means for returning the same to its original position, said means for moving the rod including a handle, a pivoted lever, a card secured to the handle adapted to move said pivoted lever and an abutment on said rod member against which the lever operates.

5. In a clamp member of the type described adapted to be positioned between a wall and a stationary object to prevent the same from being moved the combination of a bracket having a pair 01 laterally extending gripping members, a bearing member secured to said bracket medially of said gripping members, a slidable rod mounted therein, a gripping pad on the end of said rod, and means including a cam member for moving said rod in one direction and spring means for returning said rod to its original position.

6. In a clamp member of the type described the combination of a bracket having a laterally extending gripping member, a bearing member secured to said bracket medially of said gripping member, a slidable rod mounted therein, a gripping member on the end of said rod, means including a cam member for causing relative movement between said bracket and said rod in one direction, a handle connected thereto for operating the same and spring means for returning said rod and bracket to their original position.

7. In a clamp member of the type described the combination of a bracket having a laterally extending gripping member, a bearing member secured to said bracket medially of said gripping member, a slidable rod mounted therein, a laterally extending gripping member on the end of said rod, a pivoted lever, a cam member adapted to act on said lever for moving said rod in one direction, a handle connected thereto for operating the same and spring means for returning said rod to its original position, each of said gripping members having a serrated rubber face.

8. In a clamp member of the type described the combination of a bracket having a pair of laterally extending gripping members, 'a bearing member secured to said bracket medially of said gripping members, a slidable rod mounted therein, a shoulder on said rod, a pivoted lever hearing against said shoulder, a gripping pad on the end of said rod, a vertical handle extending from said bracket and a cam member secured to the lower end of said handle and bearing against said lever adapted to move said rod in one direction and spring means for returning said rod to its original position.

9. In a clamp member for fixedly positioning a movable object between two parallel walls by rigidly pressing the object against one of said walls, the combination of a bracket having a laterally extending gripp n member, a bearing member secured to said bracket medially of said gripping member, a slidable rod mounted therein, a gripping member on the end of said rod. a lever associated with said rod, a cam member adapted to act on said lever for causing relative movement between said bracket and aid rod in one direction, a handle connected th reto for operating the same, and spring mean for returning said rod and bracket to their original position.

AUGUST H. KREILING. 

